New December 1 parking rule threatens drivers with minimum $235 fine that increases daily after car gets towed
After their vehicles were forcibly hauled as part of a new parking enforcement, irate drivers had a rude awakening on Monday.
Many Illinois citizens were devastated by the hefty $235 fines that they had to pay right away as a result of the new traffic rule.
In order to prevent snow plows from trapping vehicles on the side of the road, Chicago enforces winter parking bans every winter.
The law is in force from 3 to 7 am on December 1 through April 1 and includes 107 miles of the city’s principal streets.
Residents received citations on Monday after the city granted drivers a one-day grace period on Sunday to accommodate the holiday weekend.
A $150 towing fee, a $60 penalty, and a $25 storage fee add up to a minimum of $235 in fines.
READ MORE ON PARKING RULES
The daily storage price causes the number to increase by $25 per day.
“Taking our cars for no reason at all,” Miguel Rivera, whose vehicle was towed, said to ABC affiliateWLS.
“It’s unfair. We’re not wealthy; we’re impoverished,” he continued.
Even though there are signs alerting vehicles to the parking ban along the impacted streets, the tickets have nevertheless infuriated Chicagoans.
I was wondering, ‘Where is my car?’ when I came out. Martin Wauson, whose automobile was towed, said, “And it was gone.”
“I was going crazy. I had to take an Uber to work.
“Not a great way to start the day ya know?”
Woman who paid $58 to park in lot during concert shocked to receive $80 fine – then she looked up the company
Whether it snows or not, the crackdown is in place every single day during the winter.
If snow begins to fall, the parking ban ensures that emergency vehicles, public transportation buses, and snow plows can navigate Chicago’s congested streets.
Residents might try phoning 311 to find out where their automobile was taken if they wake up to discover that it has been towed.
Cars that are towed overnight are transported to one of the city’s two impound lots.
What to do if your car is towed
Whether done correctly or not, getting a towed car back can be difficult.
There are a few procedures to follow if your car is towed after you parked in a “No Parking” area or for any other justifiable reason.
What to do if your automobile is being towed:
- Try to figure out why your car was towed. Did you not see a posted “No Parking” sign? Did you miss a car payment? Did you return to a lot where you have unpaid citations? Finding the reason can narrow down the phone numbers to dial.
- Locate the vehicle. Most states, cities, or counties require towing companies to leave some form of contact information via a posted sign or sent by mail.
- Recovery dates and times depend on the company that towed the vehicle, but those times will be posted to the website or can be recited by a representative.
- Pay the fees. Be careful to be as prompt as possible, as some tow yards may charge storage fees by the day.
You can challenge the action by taking the following actions if you believe your car was wrongfully towed:
- Be prompt – many states have a small window of time where it’s acceptable to file a complaint against a company that wrongfully towed the vehicle.
- Gather supporting documents: photos, emails, receipts, police reports, and witness statements if applicable. The more evidence, the better.
- Get familiar with your local laws, as laws for towing companies vary per state.
- Try speaking with the towing company. Sometimes it may have been a simple oversight, and the matter can be resolved quickly.
- Contact the Justice of the Peace in your area, as they may have more insight or resources to help. They are often utilized for towing cases.
- Talk to a lawyer. Many lawyers have free case consultations, and depending on the case, it may be worth it to utilize a lawyer.
Source: National General, Oregon Department of Justice, and Rak Law Firm
The parking restriction is extended to prohibit parking on 500 miles of city streets when two or more inches of snow are predicted.
Cars parked improperly may be penalized or moved when the two-inch snow ban is in effect.
ANOTHER PARKING BAN
The prohibition on overnight parking coincides with another law that will take effect on December 5 for cars in Chicago.
Residents who park in bike or bus lanes will receive automated citations as part of the city’s Smart Streets plan.
Read More on The US Sun
Because the infractions will be captured on the city’s cameras, drivers who park illegally will receive $250 fines; police officers are not even have to be there to sign the ticket.
For the first 30 days of the new measures, written warnings will be sent out.
Are you covered by law to park on a public street?
According to experts, it’s usually acceptable to park on a public street, even in front of a residence.
Parking a car in front of someone’s house on a public street is not against the law, unless the house is in a HOA subdivision, an apartment building with designated spots, or there are posted regulations prohibiting parking on specific days or hours.
“Generally speaking, an individual citizen does not ‘own’ or have any ongoing exclusive right to use a parking space on a public street,” wroteNolo Legal.
“These spaces are open to the public on a first-come, first-serve basis.”
Since parked cars pose a safety risk, most states have laws prohibiting cars from parking in the same place for more than 72 hours or from obstructing driveways, walkways, or fire hydrants.
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